Ballet Chicago---Studio Company

[Mom2kaipar]

I know this is the wrong board. But is there any information on the studio company at Chicago Ballet?

[dancemaven]

Mom2kaipar, I'm surprised we don't have a thread on this school somewhere, but . . . you are correct that this is not the appropriate thread for your question. So, once we get a little more information, we can create a thread in the appropriate Forum.

 

For starters, here is all I could find about the program: http://balletchicago.org/studiooverview.asp

It is a school-based program.

 

The general website is not the easiest to obtain information from, but there is some basic info to be learned: http://balletchicago.org/schooloverview.asp

[Noodles]

I am wondering if anyone has any current information on this program?

 

[Monet]

What specific info are you looking for?  

[Noodles]

We are in information gathering mode so looking for anything really to help determine if this is a program DD may be interested in. 

How many dancers are in the Pro division/ trainee division ( I believe trainees are the studio company)?

Age range?

Training schedule? 

Rehearse with the company?

Performance opportunities?

Any interaction with to company's AD?

General culture?

 

[Monet]

I am about to run out the door so I will only answer a few questions now but will follow up with more later.

First off Ballet Chicago is not a professional company it is a school and studio company so there is no company to rehearse with, they are it.  They also do not use the term trainee at all in this program.  It's is a pre professional school and a very serious Studio Company.  But all are students not a paid company.

The studio company has constant training, classes and interaction with the AD. Ms. Blair and Mr. Duell teach most of the classes along with Mr. Seymour who is fabulous. 

Age range of the studio company is typically 14 to 23.  It has 2 levels.  

 

[Noodles]

Ah, how did I miss that important tidbit? Thank you for the information!

 

[Monet]

I will try to answer your other questions now.

As far as the training schedule goes, they have class Monday-friday and rehearsal on Saturday and Sunday.  It is a packed schedule they dance between 20 and 35 hours a week.  The Studio Company has 2 levels the higher level ususlly has a few more hours and take class separately but will have rehearsal together often.

They have plenty of performance opportunities and their performances are amazing and you feel like you are watching an actual company.   BC does focus on exceptional technical Balanchine training, that is first and foremost!

The general culture is professional.  The studio company runs as a professional company and they have high expectations.  The students are serious and it can be a competitive environment.  This is a place for serious students who want to get better and can handle tough training.  

Bottom line, amazing training, wonderful performances and most of all they turn out professional dances.  Their students go onto professional careers!  

Let me know if you have any more questions. 

[Noodles]

Thank you Monet, It sounds like a great program. How many dancers are in the Studio Company?

[Monet]

The changes a bit each year and this year's program has not started but typically it is about 20 in level 6 of the studio co and 20 in level 7.  

[Shiggs999]

I am seriously considering Ballet Chicago for my daughter if she gains acceptance to this program.  I have just a few questions.

How many 14-year-olds are currently in the Professional Division and in the Studio Company?

Does the Professional Division train during the day or in the late afternoon/evening?

Is it a supportive environment or is the environment ultra competative?

How are new girls, that start the program, treated by their peers?

Are there many girls that move from different states to attend the Professional Division?

Thanks so much!!

[Noodles]

I would also love to know where grads of the program are going. Monet, do you have any info on the recent grads?

[Monet]

Yes!  I will respond to both you and sjiggs this evening.  I think I can shed some light.

[Monet]

Here is some information on the program, please feel free to ask anything else.

How many 14-year-olds are currently in the Professional Division and in the Studio Company? 

This is a hard question to answer with accuracy since it changes, but I would say there are usually many girls between 13 and 15.  She would have plenty girls her age.

Does the Professional Division train during the day or in the late afternoon/evening? 

 As far as the training schedule goes, they have class Monday-friday and rehearsal on Saturday and Sunday.  It is a packed schedule they dance between 20 and 35 hours a week.  The Studio Company has 2 levels the higher level ususlly has a few more hours and take class separately but will have rehearsal together often.  Also the higher level starts class around 1 or 2 and the lower level starts around 4:30 or 5.  There may be some combined classes like on Saturdays before rehearsal.  So basically the answer is both depending the level.

Is it a supportive environment or is the environment ultra competative?

The general culture is professional.  The studio company runs as a professional company and they have high expectations.  The students are serious and it can be a competitive environment.  This is a place for serious students who want to get better and can handle tough training.  It can be competitive but because the girls spend so much time together they develop strong friendships and do support one another.  But like most serious training programs there is competition.

How are new girls, that start the program, treated by their peers?

When my DD started there she was treated wonderfully.  She met her best friend at BC and now even though they both dance professionally in different companies they are still the best of friends and each others biggest cheerleaders.  She formed many great friendships there.

Are there many girls that move from different states to attend the Professional Division? 

Yes.  Many of them end up getting apartments together. 

I would also love to know where grads of the program are going. Monet, do you have any info on the recent grads?

Last year it was a smaller amount of girls graduating.  I know one is now at St. Louis Ballet, and another at City Ballet of San Diego.  The other 2 went to the Indiana University dance department.  The year before  I counted 10 students that went from being students at Ballet Chicago to dancing with a company.  The companies they are with are, Lexington Ballet, Fort Wayne Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, Ballet San Antonio, Madison, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, Nevada Ballet, and Ballet Spartanburg.  Also one went on to the professional training division at PNB.  Ballet Chicago turns out company ready dancers.  

[Shiggs999]

Thank you Monet.  This information is very useful.